In This Issue:
Is There a Generational Divide When it Comes to the Return-to-Office Debate?
In this issue… Flokk changes leadership while Steelcase names Irene Tasi president. Manhattan leasing stays historically strong as tenants prioritize premium space, even as office expenses outpace revenues; Foundry launches as a major furnishings partner, and ROOM unveils a people-focused identity. Christie’s explores whether avant-garde chairs are tomorrow’s classics. Workplace coverage examines coworking costs, tightening premium-office supply, open-plan noise, flex-space growth, rising workloads, and the unresolved remote-work debate. Starbucks invests $1 billion in community-style cafés, while WeWork emphasizes hospitality as a driver of retention. New products span ergonomic seating, textiles, wallcoverings, flooring, acoustic ceilings, dry-erase surfaces, and Vitra’s responsive Bascule lounge chair.
In this issue… Virco reports softer sales but resilient margins, Flokk expands through its ergoCentric acquisition, Germany’s furniture market contracts, and Branch recalls ergonomic chairs. Data-center demand surges as U.S. office sales, leasing, and absorption recover unevenly, while global furniture growth favors adaptable, sustainable products. Features examine Hem’s no-discount strategy, heritage retrofits, and experience-led workplaces. We also explore AI’s effects on jobs, expertise, space planning, and office demand; smarter amenities, campus utilization, and meal programs; neuroinclusive microdiversity, portable offices, and flexible ancillary spaces; plus emuamericas’ versatile Darwin collection.
In this issue… BIFMA launches its search for a new CEO as Deirdre Jimenez prepares to retire, while Scandinavian Spaces expands its digital specification tools. Office markets show strong legal-sector leasing, tighter availability in Brooklyn and Europe, rising prime rents, and new tariff pressures. Installnet advances circular furniture reuse, and Tayco earns major quality and environmental certifications. Designer Holly Christian discusses sensory, collaborative design. Hybrid-work coverage explores top cities, IWG’s rapid growth, the cost of being “always on,” and better learning metrics. Architects’ untapped data could transform AI design tools, while workplace strategies focus on coworking, Gen Z, brain health, home offices, and healthcare staff. New products span translucent materials, guest seating, educational furniture, textiles, storage, and acoustic glass walls.
In this issue… architecture billings remain in a historic slump even as inquiries continue, while CRE sales, D.C. office upgrades, and ergonomic furniture demand point to selective market strength. Hybrid work debates intensify as Bank of America limits back-to-back remote days, workers link remote work to mental health, and flex-office platforms expand. Design coverage looks at purposeful meeting rooms, neuroinclusive environments, brand-building offices, civic spaces, and even a one-square-meter treehouse workspace. Product highlights include sustainable acoustic panels and ceiling tiles, flexible mobile tables, modular seating, and metallic hair-on-hide leather for elevated interiors.
In this issue… ergonomic support for students, improving furniture demand, and MillerKnoll’s workplace culture point to cautious industry momentum, while office markets show a split recovery led by AI companies, flexible workspace providers, premium towers, Manhattan leasing strength, and tenant flight to quality. Contractors face rising costs and shrinking backlogs, while DOGE lease savings claims come under scrutiny. Features explore AI’s role in making offices more collaborative, new aesthetics in design, and digital workflows that reduce waste. Workspace stories cover flex-office expansion, workplace well-being, food perks, and posture concerns, while trends spotlight healthcare environments and the persistence of gray interiors. Product coverage highlights new lighting, acoustic, seating, and inclusive furniture solutions from Sabin, Landscape Forms, Unika Vaev, Arcadia, and Hightower.
